20 May 2019
Together the decisions will result in a single bill amending the Climate Change Response Act 2002 (CCRA). Further decisions are expected during 2019 on industrial allocation.
The two tranches of decisions are to:
align the CCRA with the Paris Agreement and any new emissions reductions targets
enable a cap to be placed on emissions covered by the NZ ETS
improve the administration and operation of the NZ ETS
improve rates of compliance within the NZ ETS
make the scheme more transparent to participants and the public
prepare for robust and transparent NZ ETS auctions
transition from the fixed price option to the cost containment reserve
enable a potential price floor in future
establish a separate market governance work programme.
In addition, the Government is considering its response to recommendations delivered to it last month by the Interim Climate Change Committee on how surrender obligations could best be arranged if agricultural methane and nitrous oxide emissions enter into the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme.